For those suggesting that BFC have not done enough regarding this large group I would like to point out a few things
1st - 2 from the picture above (the 1 in the middle in the white coat and the 1 with the pony tail) are banned by BFC from Hayes Lane.
2nd - Our stewards have also removed others that have been ID'd by some of our supporters as trouble makers from Hayes lane. (although it is hard at times to ID these as there is a stereotype look about alot of them.
3rd - BFC did pre warn Ebbsfleet that these Youngster were attending about 25 mins before kick off -
Our stewards who were at the game upon hearing from fans travelling on the trains that a large group of youth who were already behaving inappropriately were due to arrive at the ground they notified Ebbsfleet stewards, Ebbsfleets stewards decide that they would direct these to the "away" turnstiles and said they would search them before entry.
Ebbsfleet decided that it was better to allow them entry into the ground rather than turn them away as they feared that turning them away "could cause a riot" (quote from Ebbsfleet steward), whether they were searched or not I would not know but by the amounts of bottles/cans they still had on them I would suggest that this may not have been done with much care.
In hindsight perhaps if Ebbsfleet felt that this may have been an issue turning them away it may have been better to notify the local police at this point.
When the trouble started during the 1st half and it was clear that the very limited number of stewards in attendance were unable to cope our stewards (who i would like to point out were not working but on a night off) assisted the Ebbsfleet stewards in dealing with the youth.
Again in hindsight it was pretty clear at this point that their stewards had lost control of the situation and again perhaps Ebbsfleet should have called the police at this point for assistance, as them attending probably could have prevented the further incidents outside the ground!!
I would like to say of course hindsight is a wonderful thing!
Also perhaps the police wouldn't have been that interested in dealing with the issue as at the play off game when there was trouble in the 2nd half due to an Ebbsfleet fan trying to start trouble the local police attending informed us when we asked them to deal with it that they have no jurisdiction with in the ground!
Unfortunately there was little control of these youths and while plenty of us would have liked to have given them a slap and told them to do one, that can't be done as it would be us as adults who would end up nicked!
4 - Ashley has already come out and said that the club will do everything to assist and work with Ebbsfleet and the Kent police to ID these idiots.I would hope that if more photos exist like the 1 above that the club would take these into the local schools and ask for their help in IDing them etc. (Perhaps IDing maybe easier than we think as 1 of our bench is a teacher at a local school which rumours are some attend or have attended in the past.)
Final point is to Wasky - you say you and your friend go to various non-league games but after last night you won't come to Hayes Lane because of these "Youth" who clearly by now you must realise have no affiliation with the club apart from the may live in the borough, These youth have already shown they are happy to travel so you may want to avoid all non league games in and around south london as they may well turn up at other grounds after they get banned from BFC, because they will get banned.
